Kesarwani Lecture

Steve Masson, PhD, Université du Québec à Montréal
An expert in the field of neuroeducation

Understanding the brain to improve learning and teaching

In recent years, knowledge of the human brain has advanced considerably. We now know that, to learn new things, the brain has to change. A number of factors influence these brain changes. Knowing more about these factors can help us choose strategies for more effective teaching. In this talk, we will look at concrete principles that can help make learning and teaching better adapted to brain function.

Sheryl Burgstahler, PhD, University of Washington
An expert in the field of inclusive approaches in higher education

Inclusive Excellence: Let’s Talk About “Inclusive”

How can we reach the day when “excellence” ALWAYS implies “inclusiveness” and “inclusiveness” ALWAYS means everyone? Learn how a universal design framework can lead toward a paradigm shift to a more inclusive campus. Examples of practices that make teaching and learning opportunities more inclusive will be shared along with potential roles key stakeholders – Including faculty, support staff, departmental units, and campus leaders – can play will be explored.

Alison Flynn, PhD, University of Ottawa
An expert in the field of chemistry – 3M National Teaching Fellow
Nicolas Boivin, CPA, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
An expert in the field of accounting

Sharing Knowledge for Free – The Role of Open Educational Resources

The increasingly important role of technology in post-secondary education o ers new opportunities for learning. The Open Educational Resources (OER) movement proposes to remove barriers in order to provide unrestricted resources for teaching, learning and research purposes. In their presentations, Professors Flynn and Boivin will share their reasons for choosing this path and their experiences in designing and using OER in their teaching.

Kathy Absolon-King, PhD, Wilfrid Laurier University
An expert in the field of Indigegogy

Bringing Wholism into Teaching with Indigegogy

Indigegogy is about teaching and learning that is rooted in Indigenous worldview. In this talk, Dr. Absolon-King will share how she as an Indigenous educator, embraces Indigegogy. She will share her principles and philosophies of teaching and learning as an Anishinaabe kwe.

In this talk, learners will sit in circle and learn about the art of presence, invoking spirit, and the teachings that guide putting Indigegogy into practice. Indigegogy is teaching with spirit, heart, mind and body; it is wholistic and grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. Dr. Absolon-King’s talk will leave us wanting to learn more.

Norman Vaughan, PhD, Mount Royal University
An expert in the field of educational technology

Student Engagement and Blended Learning: What's the Connection?

Over the past decade, there has been an increased focus on the topic of student engagement in light of rising tuition costs and concerns about student success and retention rates. In response to these issues, many educational institutions have adopted a blended approach to courses and programs by combining face-to-face and online opportunities for learning. Many academics wonder about the impact of blended learning on student engagement and success. This session will attempt to answer this question by presenting a series of case studies that will help faculty members and instructors identify strategies and tools that are appropriate for engaging students in their own teaching and learning context at the University of Ottawa.

Jenepher Lennox Terrion, PhD, University of Ottawa
An expert in the field of communication

Building the Student-Professor Relationship in the Large Class: What’s in it for Professors and Students?

Given the place of large classes in today’s universities, understanding how they can be best delivered is significant. The development of positive relationships between the instructor and students through the professor’s verbal and nonverbal communication is important to student engagement, motivation and learning. It also makes for a more satisfying teaching experience. Professor Lennox Terrion will share results from several research projects that she is conducting as part of her appointment to a Chair in University Teaching.

Jeanette Norden, PhD, Vanderbilt University
An expert in the field of medical education

Creating Safe Natural Critical Learning Environments to Promote Intellectual and Personal Development in Students

Regardless of our subject or the level of students we teach, we need to create a safe environment in which both intellectual and personal development can be fostered. Dr. Norden’s talk will focus on how she promotes this development in both lecture and discussion classes by applying basic principles, which incorporate an understanding of how learners construct knowledge and develop critical reasoning skills and introspection. She will use numerous examples from her own teaching of Neuroscience to stimulate an on-going discussion of how intellectual and personal development might be stimulated in any discipline.

Christopher Knapper, PhD, Queen's University
An expert in the field of university teaching – 3M National Teaching Fellow

Teaching for Better Learning in Research Universities

There is a growing body of empirical research on university teaching and learning, and a rising consensus about how teaching methods and instructional climate affect student learning approaches. This presentation will describe the highlights of this research and examine its implications for the way we undertake teaching and curriculum planning in research universities.

This year, as part of our campaign to promote the importance of teaching, ‘’Teaching Matters!’’, we are honoured to welcome our professors-ambassadors. Through three panel discussions, the campaign ambassadors will have an opportunity to share their ideas on teaching and its importance. They will each be asked to explain the teaching methods that have earned them an Excellence in Education Prize and discuss their vision for the profession.

First panel – Friday, December 9^th, 2011

• William Ogilvie, PhD, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa
• Christine Suurtamm, PhD, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa
• Ali Jalali, PhD, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa

Second panel – Wednesday, February 29^th, 2012

• Gilles Comeau, PhD, Faculty of Arts, University of Ottawa
• Kathryn Trevenen, PhD, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa
• Claude D’Amour, PhD, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ottawa

Third panel – Monday, Avril 23^rd, 2012

• Michèle Hébert, PhD, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa
• Patrick Dumberry, PhD, Faculty of Law – Civil Law, University of Ottawa
• Barbara J. Orser, PhD, Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa

Jean-Marie De Koninck, PhD, Université Laval
An expert in the field of mathematics

The Secret Life of Mathematics

It's not uncommon to hear adults say, or even brag that they are "bad at math". It's evident that this attitude is, unfortunately, positively perceived by society. This indicates how challenging the task is for professors! Although professors attempt to somehow communicate their passion for mathematics, they are forced to fight, on a daily basis, the prejudices of those who perceive math to be reserved for a "select" group of individuals. Yet, mathematics is omnipresent in each of our lives, sometimes explicitly, and more often without us knowing. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, it is possible to demystify mathematics and make it a more comprehensible topic, whether it be for youth or for the "average Joe". In this exposé, we will use concrete examples to illustrate that mathematics sometimes has a ludic character, and sometimes a practical side. Thus, in unveiling the secret life of mathematics, we will discover a fascinating universe wherein no one is "bad at math."

John P. Smol, PhD, Queen's University
An expert in the field of biology – 3M National Teaching Fellow

The Excitement of Discovery: Blending Research and Teaching

Over the recent years, there appears to have been growing tension in universities over the apparently competing goals of research and teaching. Research is exciting and the results of research programs can change the world. The same can be said of teaching. There are no reasons for accepting that such tension should exist. Professor Smol explores some of the ways that research and teaching ca be effectively blended in university programs, with an emphasis on some of the many synergies that can develop from this partnership.

Nicole Rege Colet, PhD, University of Geneva
An expert in the field of university teaching and program evaluation

Interdisciplarity in Higher Education

Interdisciplinarity suggests a new perspective that rejects breaking up knowledge in too disciplinary units in order to focus on integration of disciplinary viewpoints. Professor Nicole Rege Colet discusses how the interdisciplinary principles have affected curriculum design, instructional design and constructive alignment and student assessment of learning outcomes.

Laura L.B. Border, PhD, University of Colorado at Boulder
An expert in the field of educational technology

Using the Kolb Learning Styles Inventory to Create Deep Learning Experiences

Professor Border will present Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory while inviting participants in creating new courses and teaching methods with her own approach.